Spokane council asked to condemn half block

The board of directors for the Spokane Public Facilities District voted to once again ask the city to initiate eminent domain proceedings on a half block of property south of the Convention Center.

“We’ve made a significant effort on all different fronts. We’ve never been close to negotiating a deal,” said Kevin Twohig, executive director of the PFD.

It’s the second resolution passed by the board, which is hoping that the courts will decide fair market value for the land. The property is directly across from the entrance to the INB Performing Arts Center and is owned by local architect Glen Cloninger.

“I have no intention of being unreasonable and hopefully they don’t either,” Cloninger said.

The district wants the block for parking and to build additional exhibit space for the Convention Center. The district owns 37,000 square feet of property on the block, Diamond Parking owns about 20,000 square feet, and Cloninger owns 63,000 square feet.

Cloninger said earlier this year the two sides agreed to a “friendly condemnation” when it became obvious they couldn’t agree on the price. The architect said a recent appraisal valued the land between $120 and $180 per square foot.

The sides have negotiated for seven years, Twohig said, and failed to agree. He and Cloninger see eye to eye on everything – except price.

After the PFD passed a similar resolution in February, the City Council asked the district to go back to the table with the landowner and try to work out an agreement.

City Councilman Bob Apple said he likely won’t support proceeding with eminent domain.

“We’ve had a long discussion with them. I don’t intend to support that condemnation request unless they have agreed to do some other things. They have to negotiate in good faith,” Apple said.

Council President Joe Shogan said the ongoing negotiations haven’t been productive, so he plans to sponsor legislation supporting eminent domain.

As the negotiations proceeded, the council was informed on how things were going, said Shogan, adding it was obvious that the two sides couldn’t agree on the price.

“I am an attorney. I don’t look forward to going to court, but I don’t think there’s any other choice right now.”